[Bubbling_Crude]

An article in today's Idaho Statesman says that a Boise company, Washington Group International (formerly Morrison Knudsen) has gained two contracts for the 'engineering and design services' of "Sulphur-handling" facilities in the United Arab Emirates and Qatar.

All who have followed the technical aspects of PO recognize that "sour crude", or oil with a higher sulphur content, is becoming increasingly common in SA and elsewhere, meaning the "sweet", low-sulphur crude of choice is less available or easily extracted.

Geo-experts, do "sulphur-handling facilities" perform a 'pre-refining' function for sour-crude, and if so, can the above announcement be interpreted as an admission by OPEC that things are literally turning 'sour'?

[Sparaxis]

Bubbling, this is most likely for the big UAE/Qatar Dolphin project, which is a massive sour natural gas project.

Typically, sulfur in crude is removed in the refinery.